Deluge: The Conqueror Worms II

CHAPTER 86

Katerina, Mylon, Henry, and Gail rushed onto the bridge. Water dripped from their clothes, pooling on the floor. Each of them was armed with more than one weapon. Caterina had a knife from the galley and a broken broom handle that she’d turned into a makeshift spear. Mylon carried a shotgun, and had a pistol and a knife holstered at his waist. Henry clutched a rifle, and had a small hatchet dangling from his belt loop. Gail was armed with a spear gun, and wore a backpack slung over her shoulders.

“What’s in the bag?” Novak asked.

She smiled. “Roach killer. We’re all out of napalm.”

Novak returned the grin. Sarah watched the silent interplay between the two, glad that the disagreement from earlier had apparently been put aside. She turned her gaze to Henry, caught his eye, and winked. After a moment, he winked back at her.

“We okay?” Sarah whispered.

Henry shrugged and then nodded.

Simon and Novak quickly brought the others up to speed, informing them of the situation and what to expect. Before they’d even finished, the hull thrummed as the ship lurched sharply to port, knocking them all off balance.

“It’s starting,” Novak said. “Simon, how long will it take you to open the doorway?”

“Provided all goes according to plan, approximately ten minutes. You’ll have to keep them off me. If I’m interrupted, the spell will be ineffective.”

Sarah grabbed a damp, musty roll of paper towels from atop the navigation equipment. She tore off sheets and handed them out to the group.

“Stuff your ears,” she told them. “It’s the only way to protect against the sirens.”

She held one out to Mylon, but he stared over her shoulder, his eyes wide and alarmed. Slowly, he raised his hand and pointed.

“That might protect against the sirens,” Mylon said, his voice trembling. “But what’s gonna protect us against them?”

Sarah turned. Through the window, a dozen shark-men and starfish-men were climbing over the rail. A sudden swell caused the bow to rise, spilling two of them back into the water, but the others clambered onto the slippery deck and plodded forward.

“Okay,” Novak said, his voice low and hoarse. “Lets go, people.”

He snatched his rifle from the corner, opened the hatch, and charged outside. Gail charged after him, followed by Caterina and Mylon. As he ran through the door, Mylon repeated a litany of “Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.” Henry and Sarah glanced at each other.

“We’ll be okay,” she said.

Nodding, Henry thumbed the safety off on his rifle and ran after the others. Sarah followed behind him. Rain pelted her face, and the wind whipped her hair. As she closed the hatch, she glanced back at Simon.

“Good luck.”

“And to you, as well, Sarah. I’ll see you on the other side.”

Out on the deck, the others started screaming. Thunder exploded overhead, drowning them out.